Interlockable toy elements



Nov. 15, 1960 s. NOBLE 2,959,888

INTERLOCKABLE TOY ELEMENTS Filed Sept. 15, 1959 20 20 2s v 2 J 25 y A 'V///ANJ' 2, 3

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25 F|G 6 25 BY SID NOBLE .fifi*5w ATTORNEYS United States Patent INTERLOCKABLE roY ELEMENTS Sid Noble, Levittown, N.Y., assignor to Ideal Toy Corporation, Hollis, N .Y., a corporation of New York Filed Sept. 15, 1959, Ser. No. 840,087

Claims. (Cl. 46-28) This invention relates to toys and, more particularly, to novel toy elements comprising elongated sticks or links and figure shaped elements arranged to be interlocked with each other in any desired configuration.

There are many toys of the type comprising a plurality of elements which may be interconnected or interlocked to form various configurations, such as building frame works, vehicles, and the like. However, as hitherto provided, toy sets of this type have included elements which either must be secured together by fastening members or else are formed with relatively rigid and precision located interlocking portions severely limiting the flexibility or adaptation of the elements to the making of various structures. The elements of these known toy sets have been made of different suitable materials such as metal, wood, and various plastics, and of various configurations.

In accordance with the present invention, a toy set is provided including elements which may be interlocked in any desired manner and which are flexible and resilient. In one form, these elements comprise relativ ely elongated sticks or links of flexible and resilient plastic material formed with C-shaped jaws at each end. The minimum opening or width dimension between the jaws of each pair is slightly less than the thickness or transverse dimensions of the jaws or of the body of the stick. Thereby, the jaws may be snapped over the body of another stick and thus be interlinked therewith. Also, the jaws at one end of one element may be correspondingly snapped into interlinked engagement with the jaws at one end of another element to form an elongated chain of interlinked elements.

In another form, the elements comprise the figure of an animal, such as a monkey, having elongated limbs formed with pairs of C-shaped jaws at their outer ends. This form of the element may be interlinked with other like forms or may be interlinked with one or more sticks.

For an understanding of the invention principles, reference is made to the following description of typical embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawing. In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is an elevation view of the two forms of the invention interlinked with each other;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation view of one of the sticks" or links;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation view illustrating the sticks as interconnected end to end;

Fig. 5 is an elevation view illustrating a pair of sticks interconnected in the form of a T;

Fig. 6 is an elevation view illustrating one stick bowed and with its ends snapped over a second stick, which latter is rectilinear;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a modified cross-section of a stick or link; and

Fig. 8 is a view, similar to Fig. 3, further illustrating this modified cross-section.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawing, one form of the toy elements of the invention is illustrated as comprising an animal figure 10, such as, for example, the figure of a monkey. The other form of the element, that is the stick or link form, is indicated as an elongated element 20 of relatively small cross-sectional area. The figure 10 has limbs 11 which comprise relatively elongated portions of small cross-sectional area which have lateral dimensions of the order of those of the body of the "element 20. At the outer ends of limbs 11 are pairs of C-shape jaws 15 which have a minimum opening which is less than the thickness or transverse dimensions of the body portion 21 of an element 20 and respective cross-sectional areas of the order of those of links 20.

The element 20 comprises the relatively elongated body portion 21 of small cross-sectional area, and this body portion has a pair of C-shape clamps 25 at each end. The minimum opening of each pair of C-shape jaws is less than the thickness of the limbs 11 and less than the thickness of the C-shape jaws 15 of the figure 10. The cross-sectional area of each jaw is of the order of that of body portion 21, said cross-sectional area substantially corresponding to the area of the opening defined between said jaws as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5. The jaws have outer end portions spaced from each other to define a restricted passageway communicating with the opening defined between the jaws.

As shown in Figs. 1 through 6, the element 20 may have a square cross-section. However, other cross-sectional shapes may be used, a typical example being the round cross-sectional shape shown for the element 20' of Figs. 7 and 8. having the jaws 25.

As stated, the minimum opening between the C-shape jaws is less than the thickness or lateral dimensions of the body 21. It is also less than the thickness of either jaw 25 or 15, and jaws 25 have substantially the same thickness or lateral dimensions as body 21, as do also the jaws 15 of the figure 10.

In Fig. l, the figure 10 is illustrated as having the jaws 15 at the ends of its arm limbs 11 engaged with the jaws 25 at each end of one bowed element 20 by snapping of the jaws 25 over the jaws 15, or vice versa. Also, and by way of example of the possibilities of configuration, the leg limbs 11 of figure 10 are illustrated as having their jaws 15 snapped over the body portion 21 of an element 20 which is illustrated as rectilinear.

Fig. 4 shows three elements 20 interlinked with each other to form a chain by snapping of the respective jaws 25 of one element over the adjacent jaws 25 of the other element.

In Fig. 5, one element 20 is illustrated as having its jaws 25 snapped over the body portion 21 of another element 20, the point of interlocking engagement being substantially midway between the jaws 25, 2 5 of the second element 20.

Still a further possible configuration is shown in Fig. 6 in which one element 20 is bowed and has both its jaws 25 snapped ove the body 21 of a rectilinear element 20 adjacent each jaw 25 of the latter. Other configurations will present themselves to those skilled in the art. From the above it will be apparent that the area of the circular opening between the C-shape jaws substantially corresponds to the cross-sectional area of the elongated portion 21 or 21' to accommodate the same of a companion toy element irrespective of the axial orientation thereof in interfitting relation in the opening to substantially fill the same. The passageway to said opening has a minimum width dimension less than the transverse dimensions of said elongated portion and jaws, that is less than the diameter of portion 21 or the thickness of portion 21 and the jaws 25, whereby the jaws may be selectively releasably snap engaged with jaws of a companion toy element with said jaws disposed in mutually perpendicular planes and with the jaws of one toy element engaged in the opening of the other toy element as shown in Fig. 4, or releasably snap engaged onto an elongated portion of a companion toy element at any position along the length thereof and irrespective of axial orientation thereof with the elongated portions disposed in relatively transverse or mutually perpendicular relation as shown in Fig. 5. It will also be noted that the jaws have a circular outer periphery concentric with the circular opening defined therebetween. In the embodiments afore-described the portion 21, 21' has a uniform cross-sectional configuration, which configuration has axes disposed in mutually perpendicular relation which are substantially of equal length. Expressed differently, portion 21 is of circular cross-section and thus the diametrical axes thereof are of equal length whereas portion 21 is of square cross-section and thus the cross-sectional axes displaced 90 degrees from each other are substantially of equal length.

In a preferred manner of packaging the toys of the invention, a plurality of the stick elements 25 are packaged along with one or more of the figure elements 10. While these figure elements are illustrated, solely by way of example, as being in the shape of a monkey, it will be clear that the figures of other animals or of humans may equally well be substituted for the monkey figure illustrated in Fig. 1.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the invention principles, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise Without departing from such principles.

What is claimed is:

l. A releasably interlockable toy element formed of flexible and resilient material, comprising an elongated portion having a uniform crosssectiona1 configuration, said configuration having axes disposed in mutually perpendicular relation and being substantially of equal length, said portion terminating in a fitting having outwardly opening C-shape jaws, said jaws defining an opening therebetween and having outer end portions spaced from each other to define a restricted passageway communicating with said opening, the area and configuration of said opening substantially corresponding to the cross-sectional area and configuration of said elongated portion to accommodate the elongated portion of a companion toy element irrespective of the axial orientation thereof in interfitting relation in said opening to substantially fill the latter, and said passageway having a minimum width dimension less than the extent of said cross-sectional'axes of said elongated portion, whereby said jaws may: be selectively releasably snap engaged with jawsof a companion toy element with said jaws disposed in mutually perpendicular planes and with the jaws of one toy element engaged in the opening of the other toy element, or releasably snap engaged onto an elongated portion of a companion toy element at any position along the length thereof and irrespective of axial orientation thereof with the elongated portions disposed in mutually transverse relation.

2. A releasably interlockable toy element formed of flexible and resilient material, comprising an elongated portion having a uniform cross-sectionally circular configuration, said portion terminating in a fitting having outwardly opening C-shape jaws, said jaws defining an opening therebetween and having outer end portions spaced from each other to define a restricted passageway communicating with said opening, the area and configuration of said opening substantially corresponding to the crosssectional area and configuration of said elongated portion to accommodate the elongated portion of a companion toy element irrespective of the axial orientation thereof in interfitting relation in said opening to substantially fill the latter, and said passageway having a minimum width dimension less than the diameter of said elongated portion, whereby said jaws may be selectively releasably snap engaged with jaws of a companion toy element with said jaws disposed in mutually perpendicular planes and with the jaws of one toy element engaged in the opening of the other toy element, or releasably snap engaged onto an elongated portion of a companion toy element at any position along the length thereof and irrespective of axial orientation thereof with the elongated portions disposed in mutually transverse relation.

3. A releasably interlockable toy element formed of flexible and resilient material, comprising an elongated portion having a uniform cross-sectionally polygonal configuration, said configuration having axes disposed in mutually perpendicular relation and being substantially of equal length, said portion terminating in a fitting having outwardly opening C-shape jaws, said jaws defining an opening therebetween and having outer end portions spaced from each other to define a restricted passageway communicating with said opening, the latter being of circular outline and having an area substantially corresponding to the cross-sectional area of said elongated portion to accommodate the elongated portion of a companion toy element irrespective of the axial orientation thereof in interfitting relation in said opening to substantially fill the latter, and said passageway having a minimum width dimension less than the extent of saidcrosssectional axes of said elongated portion, whereby said jaws may be selectively releasably snap engaged with jaws of a companion toy element with said jaws disposed in mutually perpendicular planes and with the jaws of one toy element engaged in the opening of the other toy element, or releasably snap engaged onto an elongated portion of a companion toy element at any position along the length thereof and irrespective of axial orientation thereof withthe elongated portions disposed in mutually perpendicular transverse relation.

4. A releasably interlockable toy element formed of flexibleand resilient material, comprising an elongated portion having a uniform circular cross-sectional con figuration terminating in a fitting at each of the ends thereof having outwardly opening C-shape jaws, said jaws defining an opening therebetween and having outer end portions spaced from each other to define a restricted passageway communicating with said opening, thearea and configuration of said opening substantially corresponding to the cross-sectional area and configuration of said elongated portion to accommodate the elongated portion of a companion toy element irrespective of the axial orientation thereof in interfitting relation in said opening to substantially fill the latter, said jaws having a circular outer periphery concentric with said opening, and said passageway having a minimum width dimension less than the diameter of said elongated portion and the thickness of said jaws, whereby said jaws may be selectively releasably snap engaged-with jaws of a companion toy element with said jaws disposed in mutually perpendicular planes and with the jaws of one toy element engaged in the opening of the other toy element, or releasably snap engaged onto an elongated portion of a companion toy element at any position along the length thereof and irrespective of axial orientation thereof with the elongated portions disposed in mutually transverse relation.

5. A construction toy kit, comprising a pair of re leasably interlockable toy elements formed of flexible and resilient plastic material, each of said toy elements comprising an elongated portion having a uniform crosssectional configuration, said configuration having axes disposed in mutually perpendicular relation and being substantially of equal length, said portion terminating in a fitting having outwardly opening C-shape jaws, saidjaws defining an opening therebetween and having outer end portions spaced from each other to define a restricted passageway communicating with said opening, the area and configuration of said opening substantially corresponding to the cross-sectional area and configuration of said elongated portion to accommodate the elongated portion of a companion toy element irrespective of the axial orientation thereof in interfitting relation in said opening to substantially fi-ll the latter, and said passageway having a minimum width dimension less than the extent of said cross-sectional axes of said elongated portion and the thickness of said jaws, whereby said jaws of one element may 'be selectively releasably snap engaged with said jaws of the other toy element with said jaws disposed in mutually perpendicular planes and with the jaws of one toy element engaged in the opening of the other toy element, or releasably snap engaged onto said elongated portion of the other toy element at any position along the length thereof and irrespective of axial orientation thereof with the elongated portions disposed in mutually transverse relation.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNlTED STATES PATENTS 2,446,120 Wiswesser July 27, 1948 2,572,752 Ostrander Oct. 23, 1951 2,902,821 Kelly r Sept. 8, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 826,115 Germany Nov. 22, 1951 664,998 Great Britain Jan. 16, 1952 1,171,715 France Oct. 6, 1958 1,186,977 France Mar. 2, 1959 

